Borrow From Another Library

If the Oakland Public Library does not have the book or movie you want, you may be able to borrow it from another library using LINK+. Requested material often arrive within a week! Click the Plus sign below to find out more about LINK+.

If the material is not available through LINK+ you can fill out a form to request your book through Interlibrary Loan. Click on ILL below to find out more information and to fill out a request form.

LINK+

LINK+ gives you free access to millions of books, DVDs, audiobooks, and CDs from over 60 libraries.

LINK+ is a combined catalog from libraries throughout California and Nevada. With your Oakland Public Library card, you can request any LINK+ item that isn't available from OPL to be delivered to your local branch.

How to Use LINK+

Search our catalog. If we don't have what you want, click Search Link+ for additional items.
You can also search the LINK+ Catalog directly.
Most LINK+ requests arrive in less than one week. We'll contact you when your item is ready to pick up.
Return LINK+ items to any OPL location.
You can also call us at 510-238-3134 to order LINK+ items over the phone with a Librarian.

Need more help? Call the LINK+ office at (510) 238-2124.

Interlibrary Loan (ILL)

What Can You Get Through ILL?

You can request books and journal articles through ILL.

You cannot request:

books published in the current year
books or journal articles the Oakland Public Library already has, including reference materials
books available through LINK+
DVDs, CDS, or audiobooks

Request

Submit one request for each book title, periodical article to be photocopied, or each separate date range for microfilm (for example, January-June 1945)
Not all materials are available for free. If there is a cost associated with the loan, we will check with you before accepting any charges.
ILL accepts a maximum of three requests per patron within a one month period.
You will be notified by email or by phone when your item is ready for pickup.

Renew

You have to renew ILL materials through the ILL office.
You can renew one time for two weeks.
The owning library might not allow you to renew the item.
Please request renewals no less than three days before the materials are due.
To renew, call or email the ILL office:
- ill@oaklandlibrary.org
- 510-238-6867

When You Are Done

ILL materials must be returned by the date due with their yellow bands and blue barcode cards intact.
Returning ILL materials late or damaged may result in suspension of ILL privileges.
There is a standard minimum charge of $115 for a lost ILL item.

If you have additional questions about interlibrary loan services, please call (510) 238-6867.

Submit an Interlibrary Loan (ILL) Request

LINK+ FAQs

The Oakland LINK+ is a combined catalog of over 11 million items from 64 libraries throughout California and Nevada. With your Oakland Public Library card, you can request any LINK+ item that isn't available from OPL to be delivered to your local branch in about a week.

Just click on the LINK+ symbol in the Oakland Public Library catalog if you don't find what you want in our collection.

Then click "Request" for that item in the LINK+ catalog.

Fill in the requested information and choose the branch where you want to pick up the item. LINK+ will tell you if the item is available.

Most LINK+ requests arrive in less than a week. You will be told when it arrives at your branch. Need more help? Ask your librarian, call the LINK+ office at (510) 238-2124.

You can also search the LINK+ Catalog directly, opens a new window.
You create a PIN when you apply for a library card. Your PIN is a four-digit number.

If you do not have a PIN, call or visit any Oakland Public Library location.

You can reset your PIN by logging into your BiblioCommons account and looking under My Settings.
Your Oakland Public Library card expires every 3 years. You may renew your card online, opens a new window or at one of our branches, opens a new window.

eCards with "Online" patron type cannot be renewed online. Please visit any Oakland Public Library location, opens a new window to verify your card with a valid identification to upgrade to a full access library card.

Residents of Oakland, Emeryville, or Piedmont can also verify by phone or email., opens a new window
You can borrow LINK+ items for 21 days, with one renewal of 21 more days.
LINK+ is free, as long as your materials are returned on time. Like OPL items, LINK+ items do not collect late fees. However, there is a $115 fee for lost item and significantly damaged items.

Search